LEARNING DESIGN
Four principles. One coherent system.
Culangex is built on research-grounded learning design. Multiple modalities. Self-directed pacing. Modular content. Proprietary Standards & Benchmarks. Together they form an instructional framework teachers can trust.
D1 - MULTIPLE MODALITIES
Designed for every kind of learner.
Developed in alignment with the research-based framework of Universal Design for Learning, Journey Within Lessons & Lore provides language learners with multiple modalities of engagement. Players receive formal language tutorials, mini-games to practice, and an open-world setting to immerse themselves in real-world context. Along the way, players curate a Travel Journal, participate in culturally-sustaining events, and practice with a cast of characters who hold high expectations for performance.
- Formal tutorials & mini-games
- Open-world immersion in target language
- Cultural events & rituals
- NPC dialogue with real expectations

D2 - SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING
Autonomy over pace, content, and challenge.
Players wield autonomy over the pace of their language journey and the content of their coursework. The curricular open world comes equipped with a host of resources, including formal tutorials, practice mini-games, in-game hints, and an NPC guide who models and coaches cultural and linguistic elements. And for those players with some language experience already, focusing on the open-world narrative without hints and tutorials is a one-click choice — additional supports are always available at will.

D3 - MODULAR INSTRUCTIONAL CONTENT
A blueprint built unit by unit.
Instructional content is designed in alignment with research-based language-acquisition methods and mapped according to a modular blueprint. Each phase of the open-world narrative represents a unit of learning with specific objectives. Players track their progress and achievements as they play. New components unlock only after mastery is demonstrated — keeping pace honest and progression earned.
- Unit-level learning objectives
- Mastery-based progression gates
- Transparent progress tracking
- Mappable to your pacing guide

O4 · STANDARDS & BENCHMARKS
Five Domains. Five Phases.
One Proprietary Framework.
Culangex has developed a proprietary set of Standards and Benchmarks based on language-acquisition and linguistic research — arranged in five domains of learning and five phases of player growth, with a focus on conversational speech.
| Domain | PHASE 1 · AWAKEN | PHASE 2 · EXPLORE | PHASE 3 · CONNECT | PHASE 4 · SUSTAIN | PHASE 5 · LEAD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phonology | AWAKEN Recognize and produce target sounds in isolation. | EXPLORE Distinguish minimal pairs in spoken context. | CONNECT Produce intonation patterns of common phrases. | SUSTAIN Maintain accurate pronunciation in extended speech. | LEAD Self-correct in real-time conversation. |
| Lexicon | AWAKEN Activate survival vocabulary (greetings, numbers). | EXPLORE Build thematic vocabulary through quest contexts. | CONNECT Use synonyms and register-appropriate alternatives. | SUSTAIN Deploy idioms and colloquial phrasing. | LEAD Can explain compound terms in target language. |
| Grammar | AWAKEN Use simple SVO with present-tense verbs. | EXPLORE Conjugate across past/present/future regulars. | CONNECT Manage irregulars and aspect markers in narrative. | SUSTAIN Construct hypothetical & subjunctive utterances. | LEAD Vary syntax for rhetorical effect. |
| Pragmatics | AWAKEN Greet, thank, request — culturally appropriate. | EXPLORE Negotiate meaning when misunderstood. | CONNECT Hold sustained conversation across two turns. | SUSTAIN Match register to setting (formal / informal / familial). | LEAD Mediate cross-cultural moments confidently. |
| Culture | AWAKEN Identify key cultural symbols and figures. | EXPLORE Participate in seasonal rituals within the game world. | CONNECT Interpret proverbs & place-based knowledge. | SUSTAIN Compare practices across cultural contexts. | LEAD Carry forward traditions in original storytelling. |
Recognize and produce target sounds in isolation.
Activate survival vocabulary (greetings, numbers).
Use simple SVO with present-tense verbs.
Greet, thank, request — culturally appropriate.
Identify key cultural symbols and figures.
Distinguish minimal pairs in spoken context.
Build thematic vocabulary through quest contexts.
Conjugate across past/present/future regulars.
Negotiate meaning when misunderstood.
Participate in seasonal rituals within the game world.
Produce intonation patterns of common phrases.
Use synonyms and register-appropriate alternatives.
Manage irregulars and aspect markers in narrative.
Hold sustained conversation across two turns.
Interpret proverbs & place-based knowledge.
Maintain accurate pronunciation in extended speech.
Deploy idioms and colloquial phrasing.
Construct hypothetical & subjunctive utterances.
Match register to setting (formal / informal / familial).
Compare practices across cultural contexts.
Self-correct in real-time conversation.
Can explain compound terms in target language.
Vary syntax for rhetorical effect.
Mediate cross-cultural moments confidently.
Carry forward traditions in original storytelling.
CURRICULUM MATERIALS & INSTRUCTIONAL AIDS
A complete classroom kit, not just a game.
With every student license, schools and teachers gain access to supplemental instructional aids — designed by licensed classroom teachers and professional curriculum developers.
Discussion Slide Decks
Structured discussion prompts organized around discussion pacing time, and station rotations — one deck per unit.
Printable Anchor Charts
Visual reference materials for vocabulary, culture, and grammar. Display and revisit during learning time.
Project Assignments
Printed materials extend interactive game-play into the physical classroom and individual or group formats.
Grading Rubrics
Rubrics are aligned to our standards and language proficiency benchmarks for success through advanced performance.
Assessment Trackers
Embedded and printable trackers for tracking student progress. Drop into your gradebook workflow.
Curriculum Maps
Full unit scope and sequence aligned with pacing guides and world language standards.
DESIGNED BY EDUCATORS
Authored by licensed teachers and professional curriculum developers.
Every Culangex material — from anchor chart to rubric — is created and reviewed by a team of licensed world language and IB educators. We bring real classroom experience across K-12 and adult-learning settings.
Curated and vetted by licensed world language educators and IB specialists
Instructional design driven by language-acquisition theory and cultural competency
Aligned to ACTFL, WIDA, and CEFR language proficiency standards
Reviewed by an independent advisory board of K-12 world language educators

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Teachers we train, teachers who lead.
Every teacher license includes access to professional development materials that support teachers in understanding the pedagogy and andragogy of the Culangex language and culture acquisition system — and in effectively implementing Journey Within: Lessons & Lore as a core text for learning.
Pedagogy & Onboarding
Foundations of the Culangex acquisition and adult-age and adult-age learners sites.
Implementation
Setting-up devices, accounts, class rosters, and learning dashboards for stable infrastructure.
Facilitation
Leading collaborative, student-centered, teacher-as-coach classroom conversations.
Assessment
Using rubrics and assessment trackers to communicate progress to families.
Leader Certification
Optional certification. Culangex lead-teacher cohort and peer-mentoring in your school.
FLEXIBLE MODALITIES
On your schedule, in your style.
PD delivery flexes to your district's rhythm. Asynchronous video modules for individual study. Live cohort sessions for collaborative reflection. On-site workshops for the deepest hands-on implementation.
Async modules — start any time, finish at your pace
Live cohort sessions — twice monthly
On-site workshops — by request, single school of district-wide
Certificates of completion for renewal credit

FOR FAMILIES
Families that play together, learn together.
Journey Within: Lexicons & Lore is a family-friendly experience designed to promote language and culture learning beyond the classroom. Family members travel the realm together and storylines engage players of all ages in regular table discussions about shared learning, and celebrate achievements within the context of the family hearth.

A FAMILY ADVENTURE
From dinner table to open world.
Parents and kids progress side by side through quests, rituals, and dialogue trees — and bring the conversation home.
Shared Quests
In-game mini quests that family members complete through shared family language learning and storytelling.
At-Age Weeklies
Weekly family activities with difficulty levels to adapt to ages of family members across their age spectrum.
Cultural Stories
Stories created to engage families with language and culture and families of students to be — together as family.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Questions, answered.

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